British train operators to pull out of Interrail

LONDON - A British rail organization said Wednesday that the country's train companies will no longer be part of the Interrail and Eurail ticket schemes which let tourists traverse Europe with just one pass.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the industry, said its members will stop participating in the programs as it believes the separate BritRail pass is "the best option" for visitors to Britain.

The RDG said it would withdraw on Jan 1, 2020. It will also pull out of Eurail, the parallel scheme for non-European Union visitors, which has allowed unlimited train travel across Europe for a fixed price for nearly 50 years.

The decision by the British industry, which was described as shocking, shortly after the new British government announced its intention to leave the European Union with or without a deal on Oct 31.

The change will have little effect on UK travelers to Europe, who will still be able to travel across EU countries, but they will no longer have the option of starting their trip from their home station.

Instead, they will have to begin their journey on the Eurostar from London St Pancras station.

Interrail and Eurail passes entitle holders to travel across as many as 31 countries, with the former designed for European citizens and the latter for tourists from the rest of the world.

Britain has been part of Interrail since its launch in 1972.